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Don't Sacrifice The Gift

As Fall comes racing in, teams around the nation are getting ready for some big seasons. The Luxemburg-Casco Cross Country team is no different, and last week Coach V had me say a few words to the team in regards to "mentality." Sitting here now, I think that what I said to the team can also be applied outside of cross country.

Because I was asked to speak while we were warming up, I didn't have much time to perfect my message. Coach V quickly introduced me to the team, and I got up and decided to speak from the heart. I told them the truth was that they didn't have to run, they were given the GIFT to run. I explained that there are people, who for a variety of reasons, can't run and that what they had was truly a blessing. I finished by challenging them to not waste their gifts, but to use them to their full potentials.

That was the entire basis of my message. Simple, right? Looking back, it's true with almost everything that we do. We don't HAVE to do anything--everything we do is ultimately our own choice. It's amazing that a person who's in school will complain about it, while there are others who never had the opportunity to finish school or, in some cases, to even attend school. Many complain about their jobs, while across our great country there are people who wish they could find work to put food on the table for their family.

This idea isn't new. Still I feel that perhaps it needs to be reiterated. Every day, and indeed every situation, is a GIFT! Would you complain if your grandma gave you a present everyday? Of course not! My favorite runner, Steve Prefontaine, once said, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." This doesn't stop at running, this challenge applies to everything that we do. I urge you to look at each day for the gift it really is. Don't complain about getting up early each morning, be excited about it!

When you begin to look at life in this light, it's very hard to say, "I have nothing to live for." Be grateful for the gifts you've be given, and take time to reflect on the great people, experiences, and skills that you currently have. Forget about what you don't have, it's unimportant. I guarantee that you'll see many amazing gifts sitting right in front of you.

LIVE it Up,
-ZZ-
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